“Ang kadagatan angay ampingan tungod daghang kinabuhi ang nag-depende niini (The sea should be taken care of because many lives depend on it for survival),” he said.

According to Ret. Col. Romeo Tapayan, head of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force (CPAIFTF), total eradication of illegal fishers is very challenging due to Cebu’s long shoreline.

“What we can do for now is to minimize them. Kon di man gyud ma-totally eradicate, mabawasan lang unta,” he added.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III emphasized that the province is “serious in the efforts to stop illegal fishing.”

However, he admitted that the province cannot do the task alone especially with the task force’s limited manpower. “That’s why we’re asking help from the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, local government units, and everyone else,” he added.

Davide urged everyone to cooperate and support each other’s efforts against illegal fishing. He also urged the fisherfolk to organize themselves and help the province in capturing illegal fishers.

“Kung magkahiusa ta (If we’re united), there will be more economic development especially for the poor,” he said.